Goal:Demand that a school change its offensive and stereotypical Native American mascot.

Glenbrook School is a private grade school in Minden, Louisiana that has an all-too-common mascot – a Native American man. Not only is their mascot a racial caricature meant to be representative of the Native American race, but the mascot is referred to as the “Apache,” which is a direct reference to a tribe existing in the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico in which the area and school have no affiliation.

By calling themselves “the Apache,” the school is perpetuating damaging stereotypes and trivializing the survival and existence of the actual Apache tribe. This school takes cultural appropriation to a new level of mockery, hosting “Apache Princess Pageants,” where they crown an “Apache princess” each year. The students attending this school even refer to themselves and other Glenbrook School affiliates as “Apache.”

This type of racial and cultural appropriation is completely unacceptable and reinforces the notion that Native Americans are an extinct race that is up for grabs as some kind of superhuman mascot. Being Native American is not a title, profession or trend. No one should be calling themselves Apache for the sake of school affiliation, and we cannot stand by and watch these privileged communities make a mockery of this tribe.

Please sign this petition to urge the Glenbrook School to change their mascot to a non-racial, non-offensive and non-harmful one.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Headmaster Gladney,

Glenbrook’s mascot is highly offensive and perpetuates damaging stereotypes of Native Americans. The stereotype of Native Americans as ancient and bloodthirsty warriors negates their modern existence and causes alienation from the larger society.

As if having a caricature of the American Indian man isn’t injurious enough, your school has decided to call each other the “Apache.” As you know, this is an actual existing tribe’s name and by calling yourselves that, you are actively mocking the Apache as a racial and cultural community.

Please immediately change your mascot to something that isn’t a contradiction and choose a mascot that perhaps even brings people together, instead of perpetuating damaging stereotypes of one minority group.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Blake Branch

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